Top secret mission to Tokyo in 1945 by US Airman related to the A-Bomb?

About the Book:
As journeyman journalist Revere Polk investigates the 40-year-old murder of his grand greatuncle, Jacob Wissler Addison, a cold case suddenly comes to a full boil. What did Uncle Jake’s top secret, but ill-fated, mission to Tokyo in August of 1945 have to do with a modern-day plot to assassinate the president of the United States? And was the atom bombing of Japan really necessary?

Revere Polk had just settled into the stuffed leather visitor’s chair in Collingsworth’s plush office on the second floor of the Daily Telegraph, three blocks off Market Square.

Rumors of layoffs were rampant in the newsroom. Revere—Rev to friend and foe alike―had rehearsed a dozen reactions and decided silence was the best strategy. He crossed one long leg over the other, cocked his head to the right, and considered Collingsworth as if he were sighting down the barrel of an assault rifle.

Down on the street, state workers scurried from the parking garages to their jobs in the halls of government. Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, cleaved to state government like a tick to a bloodhound.

The wood paneling of Collingsworth’s office gleamed in the sunlight peeking through the curtains. Footprints would linger on the plush pile until the next vacuuming. The editor’s big desk glowed with the patina of years of furniture polish.

Collingsworth lurked behind the desk, six-two, and 250 pounds—a collegiate linebacker going to seed in middle age. The trappings of power diminished him more than they built him up. Pockmarked and greasy-haired, he was a mutt misplaced at Westminster.

Younger by a decade and taller by a good two inches, Rev was a fit 210 pounds. He slouched in contemptuous nonchalance.

“Well, say something,” Collingsworth barked.

Point for the home team, Rev thought. “So the profit margin’s down to what, nine percent? Most businesses these days would kill for those numbers. Grocery stores get by on 2 percent … or less.”

Collingsworth’s wince told Rev that his analysis was spot on.

“And your solution is to fire the experienced staff, and leave the news gathering to young pups who can’t find their asses with both hands.”

“Christ, Gray, Jillian what’s-her-name, your new city hall reporter, misspelled the mayor’s name in the lead of today’s A-1 story on the incinerator bond debacle and the dumb newbies on the copy desk didn’t catch it until the suburban edition―and then only because I told them. Is that what this business is coming to?”

“We’re prepared to offer you a year’s salary and medical benefits … as long as you sign a one-year non-compete.”

“I suppose you’re offering Sophie the same deal?”

Collingsworth leaned back in his chair and made a tent of his fingertips. “Actually, we’ve asked Sophie to stay on. We can’t empty the stable of all our investigative reporters.”

About the Author
Wade Fowler is a career journalist with more than thirty years of experience with daily and weekly newspapers. He was a copy editor, feature writer and beat reporter for The Patriot-News of Harrisburg, PA, for 10 years before leaving to become editor of the Perry County Times in New Bloomfield.

He has won Keystone Press Awards for investigative reporting, feature series writing, and headline writing and is a former president of the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors.

Fowler is a native of North Carolina, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and a graduate of Guilford College, Greensboro, N.C.

He and his wife, Sharon, live in New Cumberland, PA. They have three children and two grandchildren.